The devastating NSW fires are still burning in many places around the state. The fire season started early, but all the science indicates that climate change is impacting the severity, length and timing of 
disaster events in Australia. There will be more fires, floods and cyclones this year and perhaps NSW experience should be a wake-up call for the rest of us to start preparing for whatever disasters are likely in our patch of the world.
Planning for our animals is really important – the research tells us that people often won’t leave their animals, so if you don’t have a plan for your pets, you’re putting your life at risk.
There are many good resources about planning for animals in disasters, and I should give a shout-out to the National Animale Welfare Strategy Working Party on Animals in Disasters which, in conjunction with WSPA, is developing a national approach to the management of animals in disasters. Across Australia planning for animals in disaster is seen as an important policy issue for emergency management agencies, NGOs and local, state and federal government.
The very new Natural Hazards and Bushfire CRC has funded a major research project on animals in disasters, which is in the initial scoping stages now.
Steve Glassey’s New Zealand research project was an early piece which identified many of the issues later research projects are teasing out.
http://training.fema.gov/
On a state by state basis some advice about managing animals, companion and livestock, in disaster. Clearly advice in some cases will be hazard-specific.
Victoria – The DEPI information is thorough and also covers animals disease emergency events. http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/
SA – bushfire advice for primary producers. http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania – http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/
NSW – advice for pet owners during emergencies. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
Emergency assistance for horse owners. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
The AIAM position paper is a useful overview of the arrangements in states and territories. If you’re an agency likely to be working with animals during and after disasters, this would be a useful resource. http://www.aiam.com.au/
NSW also has a useful resource for animal holding establishments, including shelters and pounds. If you’re a rescue group and have kennel or other facilities you should read this.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/